Quote:
Originally Posted by sailingdog
Bob—
That's an interesting idea... I don't know if it would work. You need to have a weight at the end of the drogue, to sink it down into the water so it can absorb the loads. The problem I see is that the double strip of webbing and the central trip line are going to be even bulkier than the existing design is. Also, the cones would probably be far more complicated to make, since the terminal end isn't connected to a central rope, and without the terminal end connection to the central rope, they'd have to be re-designed and heavier material.
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Anchor was left out for clarity; easy to add to the end of the webbing. Sewing the cone apexes (apices?) to a central line contributes little to strength on normal JSDs, since the force is mainly at the perimeter webbing anyhow. Bet 4oz dacron sailcloth would do fine. The whole point of the design is each cone bears only a fraction of the strain.
My design should actually pack flat, as the cones will flatten somewhat and nest inside one another accordion-fashion, with the webbing folded out to the sides. I could imagine a mesh pouch packed like a parachute: hang it over the stern rail, tie off the bridle leads, and rip open a velcro flap. Mushroom anchor falls out, pulling the drogue after it. Three minutes from lazarette to deployed. Most JSDs I've seen have to be packed in daisy chain fashion, which takes up lots of room and invites tangles.
Hey Maine Sail -- we got yer next field test for ya!
